Door operating mechanism



Oct. 1 1 VAUGHN DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Filed April 12, 1948 I N V EN TOR. JEM/w J hw//A/ Patented ct. 23, 195i 2,572,785 DOOR OPERATING MECHANISM Joseph J. Vaughn, Detroit, Mich., assigner, by mesne assignments, to McKee Door Company, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 12, 1948, Serial No. 20,523 3 Claims. (Cl. S18-'266) This invention relates generally to closure operating means of the type embodying an electric motor connected to the closure for moving the latter to both its closed and open positions.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide'a circuit for the motor embodying selectively operable meansv for opening the circuit to the motor at any time so that the closure may be stopped in any position intermediate the fully open and fully closed positions.

Another feature of this invention is to provide switch means in the motor circuit responsive to movement of the closure to either its open or closed position to open the circuit and to also reverse the terminals of the motor windings so that when the circuit is subsequently closed the motor revolves in the required direction.

A further object of this invention is to provide a motor circuit of the above general type wherein the selectively operable means operates independently of the switch means to open the motor circuit. j v

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially whenfconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view partly broken away of a closure of one type capable of being operated by the operating means forming the subject matter of this invention; and

Figure 2 is an electric diagram of the circuit provided for operating the closure.

The closure operating means forming the subject matter of this invention is shown herein for the purpose of illustration as employed for opening and closing a garage door of the sliding overhead type. It will be understood as this description proceeds, however, that the operating means may be advantageously used to operate different kinds of closures either of the sliding, hinged or pivoted types.

With the above in View, reference is made to Figure l of the drawing, wherein the numeral I designates an enclosure, such for example, as a garage having an opening II of the required size in one wall. The opening I I is adapted to be closed by a door I2 of the overhead type, composed of a plurality of individual sections I3 having the adjacent horizontal edges pivotally connected in a manner to enable sliding movement of the door from a vertical position within the door opening to a horizontal position within the garage adjacent the roof of the latter. The doorv is guided betweenthe open and closed posi-l tions thereof bys'uitable tracks 'I4 respectivelysupported on the garage structure at opposite sides of the opening I I. In accordance with conventional practice, rollers are supported at opposite side edges of the door I2 in positions to respectively engage the tracks I4.

The top section I3 of the door I2 is operatively connected to an electric motor I5 suitably supported within the garage adjacent the roof of the latter. The motor shaft is coupled to one end of a feed screw I 6 having a travelling nut I1 thereon and having the opposite end suitably journalled on a support fixed to the garage frame structure. The nut I1 is connected to the top edge of the upper door section I3 by suitable linkage I8 in a manner such that rotation of the feed screw I6 in one direction by the motor I5 causes the nut to travel along the screw in a direction away from the door opening II. In response to this movement of the nut I1, a pull is applied to the upper edge of the door I 2 sufficient to move the latter along the tracks I4 to its open position. On the other hand, rotation of the screw I6 in the opposite direction by the motor I5 causes the nut I1 to travel along the screw in a direction toward the opening II and imparts an outward force on the top edge of the door I2 through the linkage I8 to move the door to its closed position.

The operation of the motor I5 is controlled by an electric circuit 20 adapted for connection with the available service outlet and including the motor windings 2I and 22. A two-pole double throw switch 23 is provided for connecting the terminals of the motor windings in the circuit. The two poles of the switch 23 are designated by the numerals 24 and 25. The pole 24 is electrically connected to one end of the coil 22 and the pole 25 is electrically connected to the opposite end of the coil 22. As shown in Figure 2 of the drawing the pole 24 of the switch 23 is adapted to selectively engage a pair of contacts 26 and 21 which are respectively electrically connected to opposite ends of the coil 2I. The pole 25, of course, moves as a unit with the pole 24 between a pair of contacts 28 and 29. The contact 28 is electrically connected to the contact 21 and the contact 29 is similarly connected to the contact 26. The arrangement is such that when the switch poles are in the respective positions thereof shown in Figure 2 of the drawing, current iows through the motor windings in the direction of the arrows 30, and when the switch` poles are operated to respectively engage the contacts 21 and 29, current flows in the opposite' Thus direction through the motor windings 2I.

a mechanical connection manipulation of the switch 23 reverses the direction of rotation of the motor l5.

The two switch poles are successively moved between the two positions aforesaid thereof in response to movement of the door |2 to its open and closed positions. This operative connection between the door I2 and switch 2,3 may either be mechanical orelectrical.` In the present instance is i diagrammaticall'y shown in Figure 2 of the drawing as comprisingY an operating link 3| and a pair 33 movable as a unit with the door. ;|;2. IThe cams are so positioned that when the door assumes its open position, the cam SZ'engagesthe link 31j and when the door assumes "its closed position, the cam 33 engages the link 3|. The'link 3| is connected to the motor reversing A:switch 1,23 and is alternatively moved in opposite directions by the cams to respectivelymove the doubl'th'row switch 23 to both its operative positions. As a result' when the door 'is moved to yeither its open or` closed position, the motor |75 for operating-'the door is reversed.

"Thelca'ms Yalso operate a single Apole double throw limit switch 134' mechanically connected to the'link 3| and electrically.connected'in the circuit' 20 in series with'the motor SI5.' If `desired this switch may be incorporated in the switch 23"in which event the "latter, 'instead of being a double pole, double throw type, is' a three pole double throw design. Inany case the movable contact of vthe switch 341is electrically connected to' the lmotor windings, and is adapted to successively engage a pair of fixed contacts v35 and 33 upon `movement ofthe link 3| opposite directions by th'e cams. "As will 'be more fully 'hereinaiter described, the varrangement'is such that when `the' movable Contact of the switch'3'4 is in engagement withone of the contacts, the'other contactis disconnected `from the circuit so that when the switch'3`4 is subsequently operated vby one ofthe cams', the `movable contact is engaged with Ithe disconnected orfdead contact and the circuit `to the motor, although reversed 'insofar as' the -motor windings' are concerned', is fopen. Thus movement yof the door to either vits open or closed `position not only operates the switch23 to reverse the direction of current '-flow through the motor windings,`but' in addition, opens the circuit `to these windings.

The loperation of lthe motor |-5 Sis manually controlled vby a push .button switch 31 and' a ratchet vtype relay 38.' The -push 'button switch 31 is'connected'in the circuit 2|] inshunting relation tothe switch'341and'thecoil 39 ofthe relay is connected in series` with :the fswitc'h'31. In addition .to the coil 39 the .relay comprises .an armature or plunger'4 :anda 'single pole vdouble throw ,switch 41| mechanically connected .to the plunger 40. :The `switch `4| 4is electrically connected inthe circuit in series V.withxth'e `:limit switch 34. In other wordsfthe contact 42 of the switch 4| is connected to the switch v34 andthe contact 4310i the.switch"f4| 'is connected to the contact 3.6. Actually one end o'f the plunger 40 is uprovided with an arm 43 engageable with a ratchet -wheel 44 :to rotate the latter with a step by step :movement asthecoil 3,9ofvthe 'relay is successively energized. The

wheel44 is gconnectedto an indexing wheel a45 for correspondngly 4rotating the latter, and .the peripheral portion'ro the whee1f45xis scalloped to form va plurality-oi vequally .spaced cams y46.

ASv Shown in F1g11re-2 @the drawing thefswitch,

,lfhaS @111ml lleneasableat the. free enduits contact 3.5 of .the

of cams 32 and :operated to make the periphery oi the wheel 45 for movement by the latter to operate the switch 4|. The arrangement is such that when the free end of the arm 41 is in engagement with one of the valleys on the wheel 45 between adjacent cams 46, the contact 42 is engaged by the switch 4|. On the other hand when the free end of the arm 41 is 'in engagement with one'lof'the cams 46, the switch v4|is moved to engage thefcontact 43.

With the circuit arrangement shown in Figure l2, it will be noted that the relay switch 4| is Y and break the circuit 20 independently of the limit switch 34. Thus the operationof the motor may be discontinued at any time 'by vmanipul'a'tion of the switch 31 and the door maybe stopped at any position intermediate Vits Vfully, l.apen :and :closed positions.

Y Operation When the door l2 is 1in its closed position, the various instrumentalitiesv of the operating circuit 20 assume the relative positions shown in Figure 2y of thedrawing.v Itwill'be noted from Figure 2 of the drawing that although the Ylimit, switch 34 closed', nevertheless, the switches 34'and y"4| are so positionedwith respect to one another that the circuit 2|l'to the'mot'or'l is open.' When itis desired to open the door |2, the operator merely manipulates the switch 31' to close the vcircuit through the relay'coilr 39. Energization of Vthe4 relay coil 39 imparts anupward movement tothe plunger 40 and causes Ythe arm "43 to advance the ratchet wheel 44' throughout one step of its movement. The angular movement of` 'the ratchet `wheel 44 is sufcientto rotate the in-l dexing wheel l5-the vreduire'rgl extent to enable movement of the Jswitch 4| from a position 'in engagement with the contact 43 fto -a y'position `in engagement with V'the contact 42. Inasmuch Aas the limit switch 34 is in apositin wherein it erigages the contact'35, I'it follow'sthat the circuit 20 to the motor I5 is closed. This operation is enected without disturbingthe reversing switch 23 which has previously been operated by the cam 33 to directlcurrent through the motor windings in a directon-to'cause rotation-of the motor |5 in the required direction 'toppen the door |2.

When the ldoor |2 approaches its uppermost position, the cam"'32, simultaneously operates the limit switch 34 vtoo'p'eijr'thev circuit, and the switch 23 to reverse'the terminals of winding 2| on the motor so that'when the circuit `is again closed by manipulation ofthe vpush-button switch 31, the motor |5 revolves inthe reverse direction `to close the door. In' this connection it is pointed out' that closing of the switch after the door lis opened again energizes lthe relay coil 39 and moves V'the switch 4| back into vengagement with the Acontact 43. inasmuch as the "limit Aswitch is in engagement with" the corresponding contact 33, the circuit 20 is againclosed and the motor isfoperated to move the door to itsclosed position.

In'the event' it A'is desired f`or -some Vreason or anotherto'stop movement of the door |2 in any intermediate position, the'switch 31 is closed by the operator. As soon vas the switch '31 is closed, the relay coil 33 is Venergized and the switch 4| isoperated to open 'the circ'uit'20` independently oi the limit switch' 3'4." Thus'the door is undery complete controllo'f the .operator at all times, and -this featureis .highly desirable from asafety point of view. g

vIi desired the circuit 2.0, may be protected :by a 4switch 5D connected .inseriesin the circuit l2|!A and preferably Iof the-therma1over1oad type.

Also for convenience a lamp 5| is incorporated in the circuit 20 in a position where it will be illuminated when the door is moved or is moving to its open position.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A control system for a closure supported for movement to open and closed positions and having operating means for moving the closure to open and closed positions including an electric motor, said system comprising an electric circuit including the motor, a pair of single pole double throw switches electrically connected in series in the motor circuit, means for operating one of the switches in response to movement of the closure to either of the two positions aforesaid thereof, a reversing switch connected in the circuit and operated by said means for reversing the direction of rotation or the motor as the closure assumes either its open or closed position, and selectively operable means for operating the other single pole double throw switch independently of the said one single pole double throw switch,

2. A control system for a reversible electric motor connected to door-opening and closing mechanism, said system comprising a motor circuit, a motor reversing switch in said circuit, a double throw limit switch in series with said reversing switch having spaced contacts, a double throw control switch in series with said limit switch having spaced contacts each of which is connected to one of the spaced contacts of said ,limit switch, a starting switch, a solenoid controlled by said starting switch, a control switch actuator operated by said solenoid in a step-bystep manner by said solenoid, and effective to close the circuit to one or the other of the contacts of said control switch, and means mechanically operated by the door upon completion of opening or closing movement to simultaneously operate said reversing and limit switches.

3. A system as deined in claim 2 in which said control switch actuator comprises a ratchet device operated by said solenoid and a rotatable cam having alternate high and low points, a cam follower on said control switch, said cam being designed to bring high and low points successively into engagement with said cam follower upon successive energization of said so'enoid.

JOSEPH J. VAUGHN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 941,777 Hart Nov. 30, 1909 1,222,090 Findley Apr. 10, 1917 1,745,999 Goldman Feb. 4, 1930 2,000,515 Gross May 7, 1935 2,001,416 Freezzolini May 14, 1935 2,037,780 Gross Apr. 21, 1936 2,262,719 Collins Nov. 11, 1941 2,435,440 Graham y Feb. 3, V194,8 

